THOMASVILLE | The need for funding put Arts United for Davidson County's director of resource development in an uncomfortable position Thursday night at the Sunset Sounds concert in Thomasville.

Published: Friday, July 19, 2002 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 19, 2002 at 12:00 a.m.

Standing on stage before the beginning of the free concert that featured jazz singer Alfie Guess of Winston-Salem, Carla Copeland-Burns told the crowd there would be a new kind of entertainment at the concert. The first time the train rode by the outdoor concert venue at the bandstand, a member of the board of directors would run through the crowd passing out envelopes soliciting donations.

It marked the first time in four years the arts organization has solicited for funds at the concert series.

"We don't like to do this, but we have to," she told the crowd.

Off the stage, Copeland-Burns said Arts United's funding woes are worsening. The organization's recent fund drive, which ended in May, fell $20,000 short of its $75,000 goal. This disappointment comes on the heels of $20,000 in funding cuts from the state since 1999, and $30,000 less in funding from usual business and individual donors over the past fiscal year.

A tight economy in the state and nation has many nonprofits like Arts United struggling to keep programing going. In fact, Arts United will spend the summer reassessing all of its programing and soliciting the public and its regular contributors for input on what they think is the most important programming offered in the community.

The bottom line is unless a lot of new funding comes in, Arts United will have to cut back on the programs it offers, Copeland-Burns said.

"People come out for a free concert, and they don't want to be harassed for money," she said.

The concert attendees were not asked to turn in the envelopes at the conclusion of the concert, only to seriously think about donating money, or pass the envelope to a friend who could.

Not only have monetary donations from businesses and individuals decreased, but it is also more difficult to get businesses to sponsor the arts events, such as the annual Sunset Sounds concerts or the monthly arts exhibits at the Arts Center. In fact, only two of the Sunset Sounds concerts had sponsors. Wachovia and North State banks sponsored the first of the four concerts, and Thomasville Medical Center will sponsor the final concert Thursday by West End Mambo.

Thomasville Parks and Recreation and the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce, who are partners with Arts United for the summer concert series, picked up the tab for the remaining concerts.

"We have some people and businesses who have been supportive for a very long while," Copeland-Burns said. "We want them to know we continued programming with their support. We may not get out to say thanks as much as we would like to, but their money is going for programs."

Dana Holliday of Thomasville is one of the many county residents who would hate to see programs like Sunset Sounds cut because of a lack of funding. She has attended the free outdoor concerts for three of its four-year history, often coming with her 82-year-old grandmother, Molly Hill.

"I love it," she said. "I love music and I love my community. This is a fun way to relax in the evening, and you don't have to go to Greensboro or Winston-Salem."

Jill Doss-Raines can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 219, or at jill.doss-raines@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Standing on stage before the beginning of the free concert that featured jazz singer Alfie Guess of Winston-Salem, Carla Copeland-Burns told the crowd there would be a new kind of entertainment at the concert. The first time the train rode by the outdoor concert venue at the bandstand, a member of the board of directors would run through the crowd passing out envelopes soliciting donations.</p><p>It marked the first time in four years the arts organization has solicited for funds at the concert series.</p><p>"We don't like to do this, but we have to," she told the crowd.</p><p>Off the stage, Copeland-Burns said Arts United's funding woes are worsening. The organization's recent fund drive, which ended in May, fell $20,000 short of its $75,000 goal. This disappointment comes on the heels of $20,000 in funding cuts from the state since 1999, and $30,000 less in funding from usual business and individual donors over the past fiscal year.</p><p>A tight economy in the state and nation has many nonprofits like Arts United struggling to keep programing going. In fact, Arts United will spend the summer reassessing all of its programing and soliciting the public and its regular contributors for input on what they think is the most important programming offered in the community.</p><p>The bottom line is unless a lot of new funding comes in, Arts United will have to cut back on the programs it offers, Copeland-Burns said.</p><p>"People come out for a free concert, and they don't want to be harassed for money," she said.</p><p>The concert attendees were not asked to turn in the envelopes at the conclusion of the concert, only to seriously think about donating money, or pass the envelope to a friend who could.</p><p>Not only have monetary donations from businesses and individuals decreased, but it is also more difficult to get businesses to sponsor the arts events, such as the annual Sunset Sounds concerts or the monthly arts exhibits at the Arts Center. In fact, only two of the Sunset Sounds concerts had sponsors. Wachovia and North State banks sponsored the first of the four concerts, and Thomasville Medical Center will sponsor the final concert Thursday by West End Mambo.</p><p>Thomasville Parks and Recreation and the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce, who are partners with Arts United for the summer concert series, picked up the tab for the remaining concerts.</p><p>"We have some people and businesses who have been supportive for a very long while," Copeland-Burns said. "We want them to know we continued programming with their support. We may not get out to say thanks as much as we would like to, but their money is going for programs."</p><p>Dana Holliday of Thomasville is one of the many county residents who would hate to see programs like Sunset Sounds cut because of a lack of funding. She has attended the free outdoor concerts for three of its four-year history, often coming with her 82-year-old grandmother, Molly Hill.</p><p>"I love it," she said. "I love music and I love my community. This is a fun way to relax in the evening, and you don't have to go to Greensboro or Winston-Salem."</p><p>Jill Doss-Raines can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 219, or at jill.doss-raines@the-dispatch.com.</p>